Our Camping Trip

This past week my parents had thrown around the idea of camping, but it was dismissed when they heard that it was suppose to rain. On Friday, Bri called me and told me that the weather was suppose to be nice and to call my folks to find out if they were still going to go camping. They had not planned on it, but because Bri wanted to go, they jumped on the band wagon and by 2:30 pm, we were going camping. Bri got home at 4:40 and we left the house at 5:15, made a stop and then headed for Neeners and Grandpa's house. We got everyone together and then headed out. However, very shortly after, we had to stop because the Jeep was hot and overheating. So, pulled over for some time and finally got that situation taken care of. We drove up Mirror Lake Byway, we search for a spot, we went into 4 different camp grounds, without room for us, it was really looking like this was not meant to be. However, at last we found a spot and started setting up. We did have to set up in the dark, which was not so fun, especially with hungry and tired kiddos. Finally, we all got settled in and had dinner, then everyone was so tired that we called it a night.

Saturday, we woke up and had a pleasant surprise 2 moose grazing in the meadow next to camp. They are such beautiful creatures and I love seeing them in nature. We found out quickly that Lynnie did not enjoy walking on the uneven ground and much rather ride on dad's back in the pack. And that the camp ground was infested with skeeters, but we didn't let that ruin the trip. After breakfast, Bri was ready to get out and do something. I was ready to go back to bed. So, Neeners, Grandpa, Coly and Bri went to find water that Coly could throw rock into. Lynnie and I headed for the trailer and bed. It was cool and relaxing to get a nap in, it is a rare occasion that I can take a nap. We awoke and the adventurers came back for lunch. Mom and Gar headed off for a drive to see what they could and we headed off on a hike up to Ruth Lake, this was a great little hike and Colin did it with us very easily. It was such a beautiful hike and the lake however, tiny, pond size was nice. Again Coly enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake. Lynnie tried but she more or less was dropping them.
Once back at camp, Gar went fishing and Bri went for a walk with him. I tried to get the kiddos to nap, but they would hear nothing of the sort. We had a fabulous tin foil dinner and then roasted marshmallows. Coly had raw mallows, with grahams and Coly safe chocolate. Lynnie had a s'more and LOVED it. She was a royal mess. Finally, we bathed and put the kids down for the night and then stayed up and enjoyed the beautiful country around us.

Sunday, we packed up and headed for home, the trip went by much to quickly, but none the less it was a fun trip.

Monsters

Two nights ago, Coly woke up at 3 AM with blood curdling screams. Bri was quicker than I and got in there fast, Coly then told Bri that he was missing mom and dad. Bri assured him that we were in our bed and that all was ok, we would see him in the morning. Fifteen minutes later, he was screaming again. Bri was back in there so fast. A moment later, Bri and Coly returned to our room. Coly stated that he was scared of his room. He climbed in bed and sleep with us. So, yesterday morning, I asked Coly what had scared him, his reply "monsters." He told me that the monsters were in his room. So, I told him that I had monster spray and it would keep the monsters away. I went in to the kids room and sprayed body spray and told him that the monsters were all gone. He seemed happy with this and told dad "the monsters are all gone."
Last night, we were getting the kids ready for bed and Coly was saying he didn't want to take a nap. Told him it was time. We put them down and not even 2 minutes later Coly was screaming bloody murder again. This went on a couple time, so I tried laying with him, calling Neeners and grandpa, cleaning out things from his closet. He still screamed. So, Bri brought him out and put him on the couch and Bri sleep out here too. Coly fell asleep quickly and shouted for mom once at 4 AM, but Bri was able to get him right back to sleep. This morning though, Coly is nervous to go into his room, even though he keeps telling me the monsters are gone. I keep assuring him that they are in fact gone and they are back in Monsterland.
It has got to be so hard to see the shadows and see monsters in your head. Then to not be able to fully explain where the monsters are, so that your parents can take care of the monster. So, if any of you have any good ideas on how to get monsters out, I am all for it. I just know, he can't continue to be so scared of monsters in his room.

Beignets

Coly loves the movie, Princess and the Frog. We have watched 5 times in the past 2 days. I know that is excessive, but I am swamped at work and I need the time to get some work done. In the show they talk about Beignets (Binaes), they talk about how good they are and they look interesting to me. So, wanting to know what exactly they were I went on a hunt. Once, I got the spelling down it was easy to find a recipe. I thought that I would give these a try, they are a lot like a scone, but sweeter and they make a ton. Colin enjoyed his Princess and the Frog cakes and I liked them too. I thought other moms might like to try a piece of Princess and the Frog with there kiddos, so here is the recipe (I used whole wheat flour and thought they were good, so if you want to make it a little healthier, give it a try.)

Beignets
4 Eggs

1 C Milk

1 C Sugar

1 TBSP Salt

5-6 C Flour

1 TBSP Baking powder

2 TBSP Oil

Mix eggs, milk, sugar, oil in a bowl

Sift together flour, salt and baking powder, add to egg mixture

Mix with wooden spoon adding enough flour to make a soft dough

Turn out on lightly floured surface and roll out and cut into strips

Place in deep hot oil, turn once and cook til fluffy

Top with powdered sugar

Water Playground

Last night, Grandpa Garry called and asked if we wanted to take the kids to Hill AFB and let then play in the fountains that came up out of the ground. So, this afternoon we met them at Hill to go play in the water. When we got there I was surprised at the water playground, it was not what I was expecting at all, I thought it was going to be like the fountain at the Gateway Mall, nope it was a water playground for kids. Coly took a few minutes to get wet, but once he did we had a hard time getting him away. He loved trying to get grandpa Garry wet. Lou has not been feeling great, but Grandpa took her out there and it just made her mad. She cried and fussed so she sat in the shade with us.

After, we went over to the BX and the kids rode the horse and the helicopter. I think they had a lot of fun, big smiles all around.

Coly Our Big Helper

Today, being Bri's last day off for the holiday, we wanted to get some much needed work done. We had ran a few errands and done somethings around town, so we went to mom and Gar's to do laundry. We decided Lou needed a nap and the car needed to be washed. So, as we started to wash Coly wanted to get involved, so we let him and he was a huge help. He scrubbed those tires and loved washing the car. He would say "somebody washing the car." I would ask who was washing the car. He would reply "Colin washing the car." He is so much fun. I love that he wants to help us with everything. He is truly our little buddy.

July 4th at Hoogle Zoo

Bri wanted to do something fun with the kids for the holiday. Since, they had gone to the parade the day before with NeeNers and Grandpa, (after both of them had a sleepover, first night since I became a mom not to have any child at home) we thought the zoo would be a good place to go, not a lot of lines. We got there and the zoo was packed, holy cow do not go on holidays. We got to see the tigers up close, baby Zuri (elephant), and Coly especially loved the spider monkeys. The kids rode the carousel twice (Lou's first time) and we all rode the train. It was a fun day. That night we lit fireworks and the kids loved those, Coly was so excited to watch fireworks. I loved fireworks as a kid, but I think it's even better with the kids, I think kids keep you young.

Fun with Bana

Kel, wants to be called Nana. So, I was trying to get Coly to call her Nana, and he started calling her Bana (just like the first part of banana). My dad and she both liked it, so it has kinda stuck. On Thursday afternoon, we met Bana, Kate, Lindsey, Carter and Dustin down at Thanksgiving Point. Bri was still at work and we thought it would be a good little outing. Kel and my dad have the grandparent pass down there, so all the grand kids get in free and the big kids are half price. Not too bad. So, we let the kids play in the water for sometime and when Lou was ran over, and Coly was cold we headed for Farm Country. The kids loved it. They each rode a pony (Lou's very first time), saw the different animals, "planted food," and were put in jail. Even though it was just a quick little adventure, we sure had fun.